Alcoholic Acidosis

Alcoholic Ketoacidosis

Go to: CHARACTERISATION In 1940, Dillon et al1 described a series of nine patients who had episodes of severe ketoacidosis in the absence of diabetes mellitus, all of whom had evidence of prolonged excessive alcohol consumption. It was not until 1970 that Jenkins et al2 described a further three non‐diabetic patients with a history of chronic heavy alcohol misuse and recurrent episodes of ketoacidosis. This group also proposed a possible underlying mechanism for this metabolic disturbance, naming it alcoholic ketoacidosis. Further case series by Levy et al, Cooperman et al, and Fulop et al were subsequently reported, with remarkably consistent features.3,4,5 All patients presented with a history of prolonged heavy alcohol misuse, preceding a bout of particularly excessive intake, which had been terminated several days earlier by nausea, severe vomiting, and abdominal pain. Clinical signs included tachypnoea, tachycardia, and hypotension. In 1974, Cooperman's series of seven ketoacidotic alcoholic patients all displayed diffuse epigastric tenderness on palpation.4 In contrast to patients with diabetic ketoacidosis, the patients were usually alert and lucid despite the severity of the acidosis and marked ketonaemia. When altered mental status occurred, this was clearly attributable to other causes. Laboratory results included absent blood alcohol with normal or low blood glucose level, no glycosuria, and a variably severe metabolic acidosis with a raised anion gap. This acidosis appeared to result from the accumulation in plasma of lactate and ketone bodies including beta‐hydroxybutyrate (BOHB) and acetoacetate (AcAc).3 Cooperman et al found that near patient testing for ketone bodies using nitroprusside test (Acetest, Ketostix) produced a low to moderate result in th
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Alcoholic Ketoacidosis

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Alcoholic Ketoacidosis

Author: George Ansstas, MD; Chief Editor: Romesh Khardori, MD, PhD, FACP more... In 1940, Dillon and colleagues first described alcoholic ketoacidosis (AKA) as a distinct syndrome. AKA is characterized by metabolic acidosis with an elevated anion gap, elevated serum ketone levels, and a normal or low glucose concentration. [ 1 , 2 ] Although AKA most commonly occurs in adults with alcoholism, it has been reported in less-experienced drinkers of all ages. Patients typically have a recent history of binge drinking, little or no food intake, and persistent vomiting. [ 3 , 4 , 5 ] A concomitant metabolic alkalosis is common, secondary to vomiting and volume depletion (see Workup). [ 6 ] Treatment of AKA is directed toward reversing the 3 major pathophysiologic causes of the syndrome, which are: An elevated ratio of the reduced form of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) to nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) This goal can usually be achieved through the administration of dextrose and saline solutions (see Treatment). The pathogenesis of AKA is complex. [ 7 ] Although the general physiological factors and mechanisms leading to AKA are understood, the precise factors have not been fully elucidated. The following are the 3 main predisposing events: Delay and decrease in insulin secretion and excess glucagon secretion, induced by starvation and counter-regulatory hormones Elevated ratio of the reduced form of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) to nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) secondary to alcohol metabolism Volume depletion resulting from vomiting and poor oral intake of fluids During starvation there is decrease in insulin secretion and increases in production of counter-regulatory hormones such as glucagon, catecholamines, cortisol, and growth horm
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Alcoholic Ketoacidosis

Alcoholic ketoacidosis is a metabolic complication of alcohol use and starvation characterized by hyperketonemia and anion gap metabolic acidosis without significant hyperglycemia. Alcoholic ketoacidosis causes nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Diagnosis is by history and findings of ketoacidosis without hyperglycemia. Treatment is IV saline solution and dextrose infusion. Alcoholic ketoacidosis is attributed to the combined effects of alcohol and starvation on glucose metabolism. Alcohol diminishes hepatic gluconeogenesis and leads to decreased insulin secretion, increased lipolysis, impaired fatty acid oxidation, and subsequent ketogenesis, causing an elevated anion gap metabolic acidosis. Counter-regulatory hormones are increased and may further inhibit insulin secretion. Plasma glucose levels are usually low or normal, but mild hyperglycemia sometimes occurs. Diagnosis requires a high index of suspicion; similar symptoms in an alcoholic patient may result from acute pancreatitis, methanol or ethylene glycol poisoning, or diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). In patients suspected of having alcoholic ketoacidosis, serum electrolytes (including magnesium), BUN and creatinine, glucose, ketones, amylase, lipase, and plasma osmolality should be measured. Urine should be tested for ketones. Patients who appear significantly ill and those with positive ketones should have arterial blood gas and serum lactate measurement. The absence of hyperglycemia makes DKA improbable. Those with mild hyperglycemia may have underlying diabetes mellitus, which may be recognized by elevated levels of glycosylated Hb (HbA1c). Typical laboratory findings include a high anion gap metabolic acidosis, ketonemia, and low levels of potassium, magnesium, and phosphorus. Detection of acidosis may be com
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Metabolic Acidosis In The Alcoholic: A Pathophysiologic Approach.

Metabolic acidosis in the alcoholic: a pathophysiologic approach. Halperin ML , Hammeke M , Josse RG , Jungas RL . The purpose of this paper is to review the acid-base abnormalities in patients presenting with metabolic acidosis due to acute ethanol ingestion and to review the theoretical constraints on ethanol metabolism in the liver. Alcohol-induced acidosis is a mixed acid-base disturbance. Metabolic acidosis is due to lactic acidosis, ketoacidosis and acetic acidosis but the degree of each varies from patient to patient. Metabolic alkalosis is frequently present due to ethanol-induced vomiting. However, it could be overlooked because of an indirect loss of sodium bicarbonate (as sodium B-hydroxybutyrate in the urine). Nevertheless, the accompanying reduction in ECF volume may play an important role in the pathogenesis of alcoholic acidosis because it could lead to a relative insulin deficiency. Treatment of alcohol acidosis should include sodium, chloride, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium and thiamine replacements along with attention to concomitant clinical problems. Unless hypoglycemia is present, glucose need not be given immediately. We feel that insulin should be withheld unless life-threatening acidemia is present or expected. Lastly, alcohol need not be detected on admission to make the diagnosis of this metabolic disturbance. However, when present, it could contribute directly to the lactic, acetic and B-hydroxybutyric acidoses. With respect to the theoretical constraints on ethanol metabolism, it appears that "overproduction" of NADH in the liver is best averted by converting ethanol to B-hydroxybutyric acid.
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Alcoholic Ketoacidosis: A Case Report And Review Of The Literature

Alcoholic ketoacidosis (AKA) is a condition that presents with a significant metabolic acidosis in patients with a history of alcohol excess. The diagnosis is often delayed or missed, and this can have potentially fatal consequences. There are a variety of non-specific clinical manifestations that contribute to these diagnostic difficulties. In particular, cases of AKA can be misdiagnosed as diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Subsequent mismanagement can lead to increasing morbidity and mortality for patients. AKA typically presents with a severe metabolic acidosis with a raised anion gap and electrolyte abnormalities, which are treatable if recognized early and appropriate management instituted. Given the increasing epidemic of alcohol-related healthcare admissions, this is an important condition to recognize and we aim to offer guidance on how to approach similar cases for the practising clinician. We present a 64-year-old female who presented with generalized abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and shortness of breath. Arterial blood gas analysis showed significant acidaemia with a pH of 7.10, bicarbonate of 2.9 mmol/l and lactate of 11.7 mmol/l. Serum ketones were raised at 5.5 mmol/l. Capillary blood glucose was noted to 5.8 mmol/l. The anion gap was calculated and was elevated at 25 mmol/l. The diagnosis of DKA was queried after initial triage. However, following senior medical review, given a recent history of drinking alcohol to excess, the diagnosis of AKA was felt more likely. Whilst a decreased conscious level may have been expected, our patient was lucid enough to report drinking one to two bottles of wine per day for the past 30 years, with a recent binge the day prior to admission. Subsequent fluid resuscitation and monitoring were instituted. Further biochemical i
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Aarp's Health Tools

Cells need glucose (sugar) and insulin to function properly.Glucose comes from the food you eat, and insulin is produced by the pancreas.When you drink alcohol, your pancreas may stop producing insulin for a shorttime. Without insulin, your cells wont be able to use the glucose you consumefor energy. To get the energy you need, your body will start to burn fat. When your body burns fat for energy, byproducts known as ketonebodies are produced. If your body is not producing insulin, ketone bodies willbegin to build up in your bloodstream. This buildup of ketones can produce alife-threatening condition known as ketoacidosis. Ketoacidosis, ormetabolic acidosis, occurs when you ingest something that is metabolized orturned into an acid. This condition has a number of causes, including: In addition to general ketoacidosis, there are several specifictypes. These types include: alcoholic ketoacidosis, which is caused by excessive consumptionof alcohol diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), which mostly develops in peoplewith type 1 diabetes starvation ketoacidosis, which occurs most often in women whoare pregnant, in their third trimester, and experiencing excessive vomiting Each of these situations increases the amount of acid in the system.They can also reduce the amount of insulin your body produces, leading to the breakdownof fat cells and the production of ketones. Alcoholic ketoacidosis can develop when you drink excessive amountsof alcohol for a long period of time. Excessive alcohol consumption often causesmalnourishment (not enough nutrients for the body to function well). People who drink large quantities of alcohol may not eatregularly. They may also vomit as a result of drinking too much. Not eatingenough or vomiting can lead to periods of starvation. This further reduces t
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Alcoholic Ketoacidosis

What is alcoholic ketoacidosis? Cells need glucose (sugar) and insulin to function properly. Glucose comes from the food you eat, and insulin is produced by the pancreas. When you drink alcohol, your pancreas may stop producing insulin for a short time. Without insulin, your cells won’t be able to use the glucose you consume for energy. To get the energy you need, your body will start to burn fat. When your body burns fat for energy, byproducts known as ketone bodies are produced. If your body is not producing insulin, ketone bodies will begin to build up in your bloodstream. This buildup of ketones can produce a life-threatening condition known as ketoacidosis. Ketoacidosis, or metabolic acidosis, occurs when you ingest something that is metabolized or turned into an acid. This condition has a number of causes, including: shock kidney disease abnormal metabolism In addition to general ketoacidosis, there are several specific types. These types include: alcoholic ketoacidosis, which is caused by excessive consumption of alcohol diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), which mostly develops in people with type 1 diabetes starvation ketoacidosis, which occurs most often in women who are pregnant, in their third trimester, and experiencing excessive vomiting Each of these situations increases the amount of acid in the system. They can also reduce the amount of insulin your body produces, leading to the breakdown of fat cells and the production of ketones. Alcoholic ketoacidosis can develop when you drink excessive amounts of alcohol for a long period of time. Excessive alcohol consumption often causes malnourishment (not enough nutrients for the body to function well). People who drink large quantities of alcohol may not eat regularly. They may also vomit as a result of drinking too
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Emergent Treatment Of Alcoholic Ketoacidosis

Emergent Treatment of Alcoholic Ketoacidosis Author: Adam Blumenberg, MD, MA; Chief Editor: Erik D Schraga, MD more... Alcoholic ketoacidosis (AKA) is an acute metabolic acidosis seen in persons with a recent history of binge drinking and little or no nutritional intake. Alcoholic ketoacidosis is characterized by high serum ketone levels and an elevated anion gap (see the Anion Gap calculator). A concomitant metabolic alkalosis is also common, resulting from vomiting and volume depletion. Although AKA most commonly occurs in adults with alcoholism, alcoholic ketoacidosis has been reported in less-experienced drinkers of all ages. [ 1 , 2 ] Go to Alcoholic Ketoacidosis , Metabolic Alkalosis , and Pediatric Metabolic Alkalosis for complete information on these topics. Assess the patient's airway and manage as clinically indicated. Administer oxygen as indicated. Obtain intravenous access and administer fluid resuscitation for volume depletion and/or hypotension. Consider and treat hypoglycemia. [ 3 ] If the patient's mental status is diminished, consider administration of naloxone and thiamine . Note information about the patient's social situation and the presence of intoxicating agents besides alcohol. Suspect alcoholic ketoacidosis in any patient with recent binge drinking and an elevated anion gap. A history of alcoholism is not necessary for the development of alcoholic ketoacidosis. One episode of heavy alcohol intake combined with inadequate carbohydrate intake is sufficient to generate this disease state. Presenting symptoms may include nausea & vomiting, malaise, abdominal pain, dizziness, tremulousness, tachypnea, tachycardia, and hypotension. [ 4 ] Urine tests for ketones may be falsely negative or only trace positive in alcoholic ketoacidosis. This is because
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Severe Metabolic Acidosis In The Alcoholic: Differential Diagnosis And Management

1 A chronic alcoholic with severe metabolic acidosis presents a difficult diagnostic problem. The most common cause is alcoholic ketoacidosis, a syndrome with a typical history but often misleading laboratory findings. This paper will focus on this important and probably underdiagnosed syndrome. 2 The disorder occurs in alcoholics who have had a heavy drinking-bout culminating in severe vomiting, with resulting dehydration, starvation, and then a β- hydroxybutyrate dominated ketoacidosis. 3 Awareness of this syndrome, thorough history-taking, physical examination and routine laboratory analyses will usually lead to a correct diagnosis. 4 The treatment is simply replacement of fluid, glucose, electrolytes and thiamine. Insulin or alkali should be avoided. 5 The most important differential diagnoses are diabetic ketoacidosis, lactic acidosis and salicylate, methanol or ethylene glycol poisoning, conditions which require quite different treatment. 6 The diagnostic management of unclear cases should always include toxicological tests, urine microscopy for calcium oxalate crystals and calculation of the serum anion and osmolal gaps. 7 It is suggested here, however, that the value of the osmolal gap should be considered against a higher reference limit than has previously been recom mended. An osmolal gap above 25 mosm/kg, in a patient with an increased anion gap acidosis, is a strong indicator of methanol or ethylene glycol intoxication.
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Alcoholic Ketoacidosis

Alcoholic Ketoacidosis Damian Baalmann, 2nd year EM resident A 45-year-old male presents to your emergency department with abdominal pain. He is conscious, lucid and as the nurses are hooking up the monitors, he explains to you that he began experiencing abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting about 2 days ago. Exam reveals a poorly groomed male with dry mucous membranes, diffusely tender abdomen with voluntary guarding. He is tachycardic, tachypneic but normotensive. A quick review of the chart reveals a prolonged history of alcohol abuse and after some questioning, the patient admits to a recent binge. Pertinent labs reveal slightly elevated anion-gap metabolic acidosis, normal glucose, ethanol level of 0, normal lipase and no ketones in the urine. What are your next steps in management? Alcoholic Ketoacidosis (AKA): What is it? Ketones are a form of energy made by the liver by free fatty acids released by adipose tissues. Normally, ketones are in small quantity (<0.1 mmol/L), but sometimes the body is forced to increase its production of these ketones. Ketones are strong acids and when they accumulate in large numbers, their presence leads to an acidosis. In alcoholics, a combination or reduced nutrient intake, hepatic oxidation of ethanol, and dehydration can lead to ketoacidosis. Alcoholics tend to rely on ethanol for their nutrient intake and when the liver metabolizes ethanol it generates NADH. This NADH further promotes ketone formation in the liver. Furthermore, ethanol promotes diuresis which leads to dehydration and subsequently impairs ketone excretion in the urine. Alcoholic Ketoacidosis: How do I recognize it? Typical history involves a chronic alcohol abuser who went on a recent binge that was terminated by severe nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. These folk
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Fasting Ketosis And Alcoholic Ketoacidosis

INTRODUCTION Ketoacidosis is the term used for metabolic acidoses associated with an accumulation of ketone bodies. The most common cause of ketoacidosis is diabetic ketoacidosis. Two other causes are fasting ketosis and alcoholic ketoacidosis. Fasting ketosis and alcoholic ketoacidosis will be reviewed here. Issues related to diabetic ketoacidosis are discussed in detail elsewhere. (See "Diabetic ketoacidosis and hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state in adults: Epidemiology and pathogenesis" and "Diabetic ketoacidosis and hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state in adults: Clinical features, evaluation, and diagnosis" and "Diabetic ketoacidosis and hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state in adults: Treatment".) PHYSIOLOGY OF KETONE BODIES There are three major ketone bodies, with the interrelationships shown in the figure (figure 1): Acetoacetic acid is the only true ketoacid. The more dominant acid in patients with ketoacidosis is beta-hydroxybutyric acid, which results from the reduction of acetoacetic acid by NADH. Beta-hydroxybutyric acid is a hydroxyacid, not a true ketoacid.
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